title: The upper limit of aerobic power in humans.
abstract: Data on the upper limit of aerobic power in humans are scarce. Thus, here we demonstrate extraordinarily high V'O(2)max and submaximal exercise performance in a young elite cross country skier (22 years, 170 cm, 63 kg; hemoglobin: 16.8 g/dL) who was evaluated before winning an Olympic gold medal. The test was performed during progressive roller-ski exercise on an outdoor uphill track (7-10% incline). The athlete demonstrated a V'O(2)max of 90.6 mL/min/kg (45 s average; 26 METs; 5.7 L/min). But even more impressive than V'O(2)max was his ability to exercise at a V'O(2) of 65 mL/min/kg (71.4% V'O(2)max) at a lactate level of 1.6 mmol/L. At the self-selected maximal lactate steady state he consumed 78 mLO(2)/min/kg (85.7% V'O(2)max) with a corresponding lactate level of 4.4 mmol/L. These values rank among the highest ever demonstrated in human beings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport Science, Medical Section, University of Innsbruck, Fürstenweg 185, Innsbruck, Austria. martin.Burtscher@uibk.ac.at
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Burtscher
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Nachbauer
authors.forename: Randall
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wilber
mesh_terms: D000332:Aerobiosis / Q000502:physiology*; D056352:Athletes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003163:Competitive Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D012865:Skiing / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult